Truman Assassination Attempt

Truman Assassination Attempt

The second of two assassination attempts on U.S. President Harry S. Truman occurred on November 1, 1950. It was carried out by two Puerto Rican pro-independence activists, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola, while the President resided at the Blair House. Torresola mortally wounded White House Police officer Leslie Coffelt, who killed him in return fire. Secret Service agents also were involved and wounded Collazo. President Harry S. Truman was not harmed.

In an unrelated incident in 1947, the Secret Service had arranged to intercept and defuse some letter bombs addressed to Truman and his top staff after being alerted by British Intelligence, who had discovered similar letters sent to high-ranking British officials by the Zionist Stern Gang. This was during the period when the United Nations was reviewing the British mandate in Palestine. Truman supported recognition of an independent Israel in 1948.

Read more about Truman Assassination Attempt:  1947 Incident, Background To 1950 Puerto Rican Attempt, Plans For The Assassination, Attack, Aftermath, Honors, See Also

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